On the recordDecember 18, 2012
I rise today to urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support our efforts to come to the relief of millions of Americans who are suffering in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. I thank my fellow Senators from the Northeast, especially Senators Lautenberg and Menendez, as well as my colleague, Senator Schumer, for all their leadership. Senator Schumer and I have been working in unison with many of our colleagues. We have been testifying at hearings and talking to our other colleagues since the storm hit. I also give special thanks to Senator Landrieu, who, because her State has suffered so much, has had not only deep experience in advocating for families who are suffering but she has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in bringing together a bill that can begin to meet some of those needs. I also thank Senator Boxer for holding a hearing in the Environment and Public Works Committee. That hearing allowed all of the Senators to speak on behalf of their States, the members of our delegations, to bear witness to what actually took place. Superstorm Sandy was a storm unlike anything we had ever seen in the Northeast before. The sheer magnitude and force struck the most densely populated parts of the region. As you can see here on this chart, the purple is where the storm hit hardest, then the red and on to the yellow.…





